DeKalb commissioners name 3 potential animal shelter sites

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. - A new no-kill animal shelter in DeKalb County is one step closer to becoming a reality.

It would replace the controversial current shelter, which some call a “house of horrors.” For more than a year, Channel 2 Action News has reported on the roaches, poor ventilation and lack of staffing that has plagued it. Animal activists have protested the issue at several county meetings.

Channel 2’s Sophia Choi attended a Tuesday morning meeting, where county commissioners narrowed down the list of potential new shelter sites from 12 to three. Activists packed the room.

Commissioners have delayed voting on the location several times. Activists were disappointed the final decision wasn’t made Tuesday but are glad progress is being made.

“The three that they chose are actually the top three that the advisory recommended, so at last we are synching, which is fabulous," animal rights activist Barbara Davis said.

The potential sites include one near Peachtree DeKalb Airport and Chamblee Dunwoody Road, an abandoned car dealership off Lawrenceville Highway and John’s Homestead Park, a green space the county owns off Lawrenceville Highway.

At least one commissioner is leaning toward the park site.

"That would probably be one of my favorites, just because we could take land we own that we purchased with park bond money. It's 40 to 50 acres, which the whole community, right off 285, could get to and enjoy," DeKalb commissioner Elaine Boyer said.

If that site is selected, commissioners may have another fight on their hands from preservationists. They said it’s pristine land that hundreds of volunteers have been working on.

“The wildlife is tremendous there. You would not believe, it's a pristine nature preserve right now," said Pamela McNall Friends of John’s Homestead Park.

The commission hopes to make a final decision on a new animal shelter site within the next two weeks.